HIGH-PROFILE Scottish businessman Crawford Gillies has been named as the next chairman of whisky giant Edrington, writes Scott Wright.

Mr Gillies, the former chairman of Scottish Enterprise, who joined the board of the Famous Grouse distiller in February, will succeed Norman Murray. Mr Murray, who has held the position since 2013, will step down at the Glasgow-based company’s annual meeting later this year. He said: “I am very pleased to announce Crawford will take over the chairmanship of Edrington and know that his extensive international business experience will be invaluable to the company and I wish him all the very best.

“During my five years with Edrington I have thoroughly enjoyed working with this unique company.”

The prestigious appointment is the latest in a series of senior positions Mr Gillies has held during his four decades in business. He is a non-executive director on the boards of energy giant SSE and Barclays, where he chairs the remuneration committee. Mr Gillies, a former managing director of management consultants Bain & Company, also founded the Saltire Foundation, which helps develop entrepreneurial leadership in Scotland.

Edrington reported annual profits up nearly one-third to £91 million last month.